The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-10-08

Madam, you shall not stand" he
says savagely. In the next car per-
haps We may be more successful"
They proceed In state to the rear
coach, the conductor leading the way
with a great show of gallantry, the lady
following.
Alas Here they meet with the same
result. "The coach seems to be full, r"
says the conductor, evincing disappoint-
ment
The coach is FULL" assents tipsy
passenger, who is trying to preserve
his equilibrium on the wood-box in the
corner The coach is full; fact is,
everybody's full-everybody"
Somebody snickered. The conduc-
tor bit his lip The lady blushed. But
very old man in threadbare suit of
clothes now rises slowly.
The lady can have my place"
She drops into the seat without a
word of thanks to the old man, but she
smiles very sweetly, indeed, up into the
face of the conductor.
The conductor, glad that she is set
tied at last, marches away, and with
him goes the old man into the smoking
car. When they are gone my lady
turns about and scrutinizes the face of
the girl who is to be her companion in
the seat.
1t was bright face, framed in lit
tie cottage bonnet, whose drab vel was
folded decorously across the brow, and
crossing behind, the ends were brought
in front and tied in a snug and becom-
nrr hour ho round arl i
chin. A cheerful spirit looked up at
the newcomer from the violet eyes in
the becoming bonnet
LET rs simplify matters at once, "
says she of the bonnet, by introduc-
ing ourselves and becoming acquaint-
ed. l am Miss Lafarge, going to live
with my forty third cousin at Stubble-
field. This is my first journey, and l
am perishing for someone to talk with.
The old gentleman who has just gone
was stranger to me. So, of course, ]
could not talk to him..
Gentleman" calculates the new
conner, who, curiously enough, entirely
forgets, or refrains from following the
example of the other, and keeps her
name and her intended destination a
secret to herself; Il hope you don't call
him a gentleman. Did you see his
shabby clothing?"
A shadow falls upon Miss Lafayge's
expressive face. The next instant Miss
Lafarge laughs softly. saying:
DO you know have absurd
notions about what it takes to consti-
tute gentleman. With me, the ques-
ton of what is on the body is of less
moment than what is in it, and the mo-
tiyes which actuate the behavior.
Really, l thought him-pardon me,
still think him-a gentleman.
Now the newcomer laughs, softly, to
be sure, and mus.cally, TOO. But she
laughs In way that shows she does
not share the absurd opinion of the
other. Then she opens a tiny lunch
box which she has carried in her hand,
takes therefrom a slice of cake, tiny
bottle of wine, and timer glass to sip
it from, and proceeds to make herself
comfortable. 1T was so early when |
left home this morning. that l could
eat little or no breakfast before setting
out OF my Journey" she says APOLOGIZE
cally; 80 brought lunch along, and
find that jaunt of fifteen miles across
a windy prairie has given me an appe-
tite for eating. VIII you have a bit
with me?"
Miss Lafarge accepts the invitation
as frankly as it is given. The two ladies
are soon chatting volubly over the re-
spectlve merits of the cake and wine,
and time flies.
Like some great smoking monster,
the train goes sweeping along over the
level reaches of the prairie, through
the deep cuts in the sandy hills. On,
and on, and on, and CT.
Miss Lafarge has had time to chatter
into the ear of her companion every
thought she ever had. They have dis
cussed dispassionately the various
merits of crewel work and Kensing-
ton stitch. They both agree in think
ing Howell an overrated man. And,
after bit, both pause, as if by mutual
consent, and there is lull in the con-
versatiOn.
Still the train rushes along madIy,
for miles and miles, for hours and
hours
The lady in black stares blankly on.
OF the window. On the contrary, Miss
Lafarge composes herself for nap.
She. shuts her eyes and dozes. Worse,
she even SHORES. Her companion turns
finally glance of contempt on the
quiet face at her side.
Nv hat does she know of life and its
possibilities ?" muttered the lady IN
black. "Lafarge, YOU are a baby; an
inane, insipid baby" This, with q
tightening of the lips across the white
teeth, and CLEAN of something like
fury In the handsome eyes.
The lady in black suddenly puts her
face down close to her sleeping com
panlon. Her eyes shine with wicked
triumph, her teeth CLEAN. She looks
as If she were going to bite. She is
gong to bite. She draws still nearer,
the beautiful scarlet lips are smiling.
Miss Lafarge moves uneasily in her
sleep. The handsome, wicked face
for 1t Is devilIsh in its expression now
is close to that of her intended victim.
Miss Lafarge suddenly opens her
eyes Wide. She gasps, springs to her
eet.
A tremor seizes upon the lady in
black. She shrinks, pales, grasps the
back of the seat with both her hands
A shiver runs through the train.
WHAT is it, cries Miss Lafarge.
wildly.
Nothing" is the cold reply. "Be
quiet. You have been asleep, and have
wakened suddenly"
L felt as if something was going to
happen. says Miss Lafarge, putting
her hand to her head, something ter
rible"
Even as she speaks there is crash.
The coaches rock and reel; they rise
in air; they topple. The next instant,
engine, cars, and all on board go crash
ing To destruction through a rotten
railro d bridge.
For a moment, dreadful silence
reigns. Then the air resounds witt
the shrieks and groans of the wounded
and dying.
Smoke and steam and flames rise W
from the shattered coaches, which are
piled IN shapeless heaps on the floor OF
the gu.ley beneath the broken bridge
tTo BE CONTINUED